Tone-modifier for talking-machines



I S. HOUGH.

TONE MODIFIER FOR TALKING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 14. 1919.

Patented Feb. 10, 1920.

2 SHEETSISHEET 1.

Wa/w-ML S. HOUGH.

TONE MODIFIER FOR-TALKING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 14, 1919. 1,330,469.

Patented Feb. 10,1920,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 remain @lihllQE.

SAMUEL IEQUGEI, OF

N N JERSEY.

arse,

TONE-MODZFIER TALKIlIq'G-MACHINES.

Application filed July 14:, 1319. Serial Ho. 310,581.

To (all )(FitQ/it mc/fr can; 17%

Be it known that l, SLSMUEL Honor-r, a citizen oi" the United States, residing at Atco, in the county of Camden and State of New Jersey, have invented new and useful Improvements in Toneldodifiers for Talking-hlachines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improfv'cment in one modifiers for talking machines, and has for its object to provide an exceedingly simple and effective method of controlling the sound'waves in their passage from the sound box through the swinging arm to the amplifier ofa talking machine whereby thetone of the reproduced sounds may be modfied to make them more acceptable and pleasing to the car.

A further object of my invention is to provide mechanism for modifying the sound in its passage to the amplifier, having sections or wings capable or" adjustment in unison.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for actuating sections of the modifier'from the outside otthe throat and so housing such means as to prevent the escape of the sound waves through the openings in the throat, such housing being dust proof vfor the protection of the mechanism.

With these ends in View this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter setforth and then specifically designated by the claims. r V y In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, may understand how to make and use the same, I will describe its construction in detail referring by numerals to the accompanyingdrawings forming a part of this appl cation, in which: V

Figure 1, 1s a section of the casing of a talking machine showing the swinging arm amplifier and connections therebetween in elevatlon.

Fig. 2, is an enlarged plan view of my improved tone modifying throat mechanism therefor.

Fig. 3, is a side elevation of the throat partly broken away and sectioned to show the sectional modifier and mechanism for operating the same the'modifier being in its closed position.

Fig. 4, is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the sectional modifier in its open position.

Fig. 5, is a still further enlarged detail section showing one of the sections of the modifie and the manner of connecting it .to the throat.

Fig. 6, is a detail end view of one of the stems to which the sections of the modifier are secured.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8, is a side elevation of a portion of the throat showing the rack bar and pinion for operating the modifier, the position of the indicating dial being illustrated in dotted lines, and

Fig. 9, is a detail View of a ortion of the casing showing the thumb kno pointer and dial for setting and indicating the positions of the sections of the modifier.

In carrying out my invention as here embodied, l repr cuts the throat or connection between the swinging arm and the amplifier 3 of the talking machine, and 4: represents the sections of the modifier each of which is secured to the inner end of the stem 5, each of said stems being rectangular in cross section and projecting through a corresponding hole in the side walls of the throat 1 in such manner as to form a pivot point upon which the sections may be swung to and fro. Around each of the stems is placed a coil spring 6 one end of which'seats in a semi-spheric cup 7 and is held in place by a pin 8 which passes through a hole 9 in the stem, which arrangement permits the free rocking of the stem and consequently the swinging-of the section of the modifier attached to said stem, while at the same time exerting suflicient resilient tension thereon to prevent vibration or rattling or accidental movement of the sections of the modifier.

10 represents a collar which is fitted around the throat so as to lide thereon. th s collar having cutaway portions 11 to'perrnit the cups 7 to bear upon the exterior of the throat, and to this collar are secured the housings 12 each of which incloses one of the stems 5, its spring and cup; each of these housings has a socket 13 formed therein for the reception of the outer end of the stem so that the latter may rock therein; thus when the collar is moved up or down upon the throat the outer ends of these stems will likewise be moved up or down thereby swinging the sections 4 of the modifier in one direction or the other as will be readily understood.

1% represents a rack bar which issecured to one of the housings 1,2 and this rack bar meshes with the pinion 15 secured upon the shaft 16 the outer end oi which latter carries the thumb knob 17. By this arrangement when the thumb knob is turned in one direction or another the rack bar will be raised or lowered raising or lowering the collar 10 thus swinging the sections t or the modifier in one direction or the other as before described.

18 represents a graduated dial over which the pointer 19 travels when the thumb knob 17 is revolved thus indicating the positions oi the sections a. 7

From this description it will be seen tha the sections of the modifier may be placed in any position 6 csired, which position will be indicated upon the dial by the pointer and when the sections are entirely closed as indicated in Fig. 8 the modifier assumes the position of comb shaped diaphragm completely cutting or the direct passage of the sound waves from the swinging arm amplifier, but as these sections are swung open it moves away from the others until reaching substantially avertical position thus giving use and tuli Pt sage for the s end waves, and any intermediate adjustment of the sections will more or less reduce the opening for the passage of the sound waves causing a contraction in the throat which will modify the tone of the sounds issuing from the ma chine, and i practice I have found that this greatly enhances the results reproduced in the reproduction or certain classes of records and enables a person to regulate the tone to a pointmore pleasing to the ear.

Of course I do not wish to be limited to the exact detailsof construction as herein shown as these may be varied within the. limits of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my intention, what I claim as new and useful is 1. In a talking machine, a throat connecting the swinging arm and amplifier, a tone modifier located within said throat, said modifier consisting of swinging sections, stems carried by each section, and means for operating the stems to open and close said sections. i

2. In a talking machine having a swinging arm and an amplifier, a throat connecting said arm and amplifier, a modifier conslsting oi swinging sections, stems carried by said sections, said stems projecting through the throat, springs for giving the stems an outward tendency, a collar adapted to slide upon the throat, housings carried by the collar, each housing inclosing one of the stems and its spring, means for operating the stems from the housings, and means for raising, and lowering the collar.

3. In a talking machine, a threat connecting the swinging arm and amplifier of said machine, a sectional modifier located within the throat, a stem secured to each section oi said hi difier, said stems projecting through the throat, a spring located upon each stem, a cap into which one end or each spring seats, a collar surrounding the throat, housings carried by the collar, each ofsaid housings iii-closing one of the stems, a socket formed in each housing for the reception of the outer end of the stems, a rack bar for sliding the; collar upon the throat, a pinion meshing with said rack bar, a shaft upon which said pinion is mounted, anr' a thumb knob mountedupon said shaft for manually revolving the same.

i. In a talking n'iachine, a throat connecttheswinging arm and amplifier of said machine, a sectional modifier located within the throat, a stem secured to each section of said modifier, said stems projecting through solving the same, a pointer also carried by said shaft, and a graduated dial in which the pointer moves for indicating the positions of the sections of the modifier.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto at fixed my signature.

' SAMUEL HOUGH. 

